FIRE IN THE CITY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12483, 20 April 1906, Page 2

FIRE IN THE CITY.

DUNLOP RUBBER CO.'S BUILDING GUTTED. SERIOUS LOSS* OP STOCK. After a long immunity from eerioue outbreaks, the Fire Brigade had to battle with a fire of dangerous dimensions in the early hours of yesterday raorning. The Dunlop Rubber Company s building in Licbifield street was the scene of the outbreak, and practically the -whole of a large a>nd valuable stock of rubber goods was destroyed. The first and seoond floore of tho building were almost gutted, but the loss in this respect is not nearly so heavy as that on the stock, as It is a very substantial structure, and the more solid portions are left practically undamaged. ; The lire was discovered by a P rc ®* newspaper runner named Watt, who was passing the building at about 4 a.m., and caw great rolling clouds of black smoke pouring from the upper windows. . Hβ immediately gave the alarm at the Clock Tower box, and the Lichfield street brigade—not many yards distant —was o-i the scene, in charge of Superintendent Smith, in a few seconds, liio Cluster street brigade arrived f-oon after, and two steamers and a couple of chemical engines were speedily brougnt into work. ~ , From the outside no flames could be sen but on breaking open the door, th« inside was found to be a roaring, seething furnace of fire. The stairs and part of tho first floor were already destroyed. The long ladder was affixed to enable the men to reach the top floor, and the men battled strenuously For fully an hour. They were severely handicapped, and had to fight against great difficultiek. The intense heat melted a great deal of rubber stock, and the hot fluid poured down en tho bodies and hands of the smoke-grimed fire-fighters, infliotinig a number of painful, ;t not ejrioue, burns. The branchmen, who euffored meet, had to bo relieved at troiiuent intervals. At about 0.3t) the fire was subdued, and bupenntendent Smith was abl-e to leave a few men in cluarge. The lado person on the prenrifes left at about nino o'clock on Wednesday night, and Superintendent Smith says the fire must have been in progress for somo hours before it was discovered. The damage done is considerable. Tho whole of the lower portion of the building inside is destroyed, sind part of the second storey. But the most serious loss ie incurred in regard to the stock, nearly all of which was absolutely destroyed. The building was insured for £1500, and tho stock for £9700. It is estimated that the damage to the building will amount to about £400; as mentioned, however, the loss on stock will run into thousands.

The stock of Mr A. S. Gurney, wholesale fancy goods dealer, whoee promises adjoin, was severely damaged in a very peculiar manner. The smoko from the Dunlop premises penetrated the intersecting walls, and covered everything with. i>. black, slimy deposit. Mr Gurnoy , * stock consists of millinery and feminine fancy goods, and although not a. drop of water or 6park of fire entered the building, a greet d<?al of the stock has been ruined by the smoky deposit. It is e'xpectod, however, that the insurance will cover the damage in this case.